Maori youth to be celebrated at Matariki event

June 18th, 2012

Maori rangatahi (youth) are to be acknowledged and celebrated for their contribution to our community at an awards function at Memorial Hall as part of Te Awhina Marae's Matariki event.

The Star Gazer Awards, to be presented on Saturday, June 30th, were brought about through the vision of Maihi Barber, Kaiawhina Whanau, Mauri Tu Mauri Ora programme. The Awards are a Te Awhina Marae and Motueka/Tasman Maori Community initiative.

Maihi says the purpose of these Awards is "to celebrate the success and achievement of Maori youth, to encourage Maori youth to participate in striving for excellence, and to be positive role models in our community".

Matariki is the Maori name for the small cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, in the Taurus constellation, that appears in our sky around the time that is referred to as the traditional Maori New Year.

It was also seen by Maori - and increasingly now by other New Zealanders - as an important time for family to gather and reflect on the past and the future.

In recognition, the local Maori community will annually hold a 'Star Gazers' evening to celebrate and award seven trophies in seven categories that represent the seven stars. Nominations, which close on June 21st, are made on the basis of work done between June 2011 and May 2012.

The seven special taonga (trophies) will be awarded for achievement for each the following categories: Education, Leadership, Te Ao Maori, Community Service, Entrepreneur, Arts and Sports.

The inaugural event is open to all people. Tickets are $10 each or $40.00 for whanau (maximum of six).

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